Page 28 - World of Animals - Issue #39

Endangered

Saint Lucia racer snake

Thought to be the world’s rarest snake, the
SNAKE
Erythrolamprus ornatus Saint Lucia racer was initially declared extinct
Class Reptilia in 1936. Thankfully, there have been sightings
of the reptile since but it is still very much
an endangered animal. Non-venomous and
Territory Saint Lucia,
Caribbean Sea very docile, its jaw is unconnected allowing
Diet Skinks, anoles, frogs
Lifespan 10-15 years it to swallow comparatively large food.
Adult weight 67g
(2.36oz) It is believed that there are only 18 left in
Conservation Status
existence, all on one small 12-hectare (30-
acre) inlet in its natural habitat of Saint Lucia,
ENDANGERED
a volcanic island in the Caribbean.

The causes

of extinction

Predators
The introduction of mongooses by humans has had
terrible consequences. Brought in from India in the late
1800s, the infamous snake killers preyed on the helpless
St Lucia racers. Non-native rats also see the snake as a
tasty meal and the small inlet is now the only place the
predators can’t get to.
Humans
The snakes may be harmless to humans but being
snakes, they have a bad reputation. This means that
they can be beaten to death by people who are afraid
and can also be accidently run over by cars who don’t
see the tiny St Lucia racer on the road. The decreasing

Weather habitat
Tropical storms can prove fatal to the St Lucia racer as Thanks to the human

rain and winds ravage the island, but it’s not the storm induced influx of
itself that kills them. Huge swells of water carry rats mongooses and rats, the
and mongooses to the island, cut-off from the rest of St population of the snakes
Lucia, and they will then hunt down the snakes. has retreated to Maria
Major, a small island off the

south coast of the island. Saint Lucia
What you can do...
DURRELL WILDLIFE CONSERVATION TRUST
Based in Jersey, with 50 projects across 18 countries, the trust is dedicated to
conservation with a particular focus on islands. They are currently monitoring
the St Lucia racer very strictly.
To find out how you can help Durrell visit www.durrell.org/wildlife/species-

index/saint-lucia-racer
28

28-29_Endangered StLuciaSnake.indd 28 12/10/2016 14:55